Subscription radio broadcasting system and equipment therefor



May 24, 1955 w. s. HALsT SUBSCRIPTION RADIO AlgcAsTING 2709254 SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT THEREFOR 5 Sheetswsheet 2 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 m N .O L E R T Y O S E T L v N N M R z; w.. S O tz: m00 0000-09 m m m 026000 000000 U 2050200224 l 31 S0 om,... w 32020020025 IKL 0x 2-0@ 002.500: 000 .220.0 0mg/ @wk m 1| ESE 026` 50000 .55200 HAU mm 95,3000 twm 2.1. 0m. w m $1 mi f 50N. .5. 0.002 .0x 0m zoo 0. 1 000z mwj 8V. 2 0S 50352 muwowwwem PSE 0z 000000 05:23 ESE 0.05520 2002x920 m 55.56000 :500mm .2E z0rEE0mm0w :L 0i @N1 N1 N1 0 1 .0x mm .8. 00-2; 02.5002 mulini 0x 0 0b maomwmmwwow GSE ,024 09500 G3i 0.0 5.53000 @z ts... .n2 020mm: wwwZIwDm mN 3N. Nw EN.A 00mg IIIIIIII, 0.2.5002 wrzq .8.. 05 ozmz 0000009.00 mwww mm mz` Nm mmx 02:53 PSE mszm .Wwhwma a l z2: :550mm -m 03000 0:0 91 Q 0m.` 001 .vm i

May24,1955 W54 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 INVENTOR WILLIAM S. HALSTEAD ATTORNEY W. S. HALST IPTION EAD May 24, 1955 Filed Aug. 14

TEM AND EQUIPMENT THEREFOR 5 Sheets-shew 43 :mamon wlLLuAM SMALSYED May 24, 1955 w. s. HALsTEAn SUBSCRIPTION 2,709,254 RADIO BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT mREFoR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 14, 1950 lNVENTDR /oom rmOm

WILLIAM SHLSTE D EYM AgRNfEY United States Patent O SUBSCRIPTION RADI() BRADCASTING SYSTETV AND EQUPMENT THEREFOR t William S. Halstead, Mount Kisco, N. Y., assigner to Multiplex Development Corporation, County of New York, N. Y.

@riginal application June 23, 1950, Serial No. 170,011, now Patent No. 2,696,611, dated December 7, 1954. Divided and this application August 14, 1950, Serial No. 179,195

11 Ciaims. (Cl. 343-4200) 'lhis invention pertains to a multiplex communications system and more particularly to such systems in which security of reception is required in connection with certain of the channels or programs of the several channels or programs included in the multiplex system as a whole. This application is a division of the copending application Serial Number 170,011, tiled June 23, 1950, entitled Multiplex Communications System.

The invention is especially applicable for use in connection with subscription radio services in which specialized programs are disseminated by multiplex technique, employing existing frequency modulation (FM) broadcast or television stations, without interfering with the public broadcasts of these stations. These special multiplex programs vare intended for reception only by subscribers or specific groups of listeners equipped with signal-controlled receivers of special type.

The `special programs may consist of background music devoid of commercial announcements; speciiic types of music, (i. e. classical, popular); speciiic types of informational programs; including continuously recurrent news bulletins, weather reports, time announcements; and programs addressed to certain groups of listeners in different portions of a broadcast service area. These special multiplex transmissions will be inaudible to listeners to the regular aural broadcasts of the stations, which will retain their normal high-fidelity transmission characteristics extending between 30 and 15,000 cycles. Subscribers or other authorized listeners, Will by the system of the invention, be able to receive either the regular aural broadcasts of the stations or the specialized programs. In the latter instance, the subscribers will be able to have a choice of type of music or they may, by operating a selector device, receive a specic type of program such as an ever-available news summary, weather report or time announcement.

The system lof the invention is intended to provide supplementary sources of revenue to FM broadcast stations Which, today, are operating at a loss in the great majority of communities throughout the United States. It is anticipated that subscribers to the special multiplex services will pay nominal fees which will be of aid in strengthening the economic status of the stations, thereby enabling them to provide increasingly better public-service programs on their main, or public broadcast, channels.

To ensure against pirating of these specialized programs by individuals or groups who may not be willing to share in the cost of providing the multiplex services, means are included in the invention whereby a form of security is given to the multiplex transmissions by making it diiiicult or impossible for non-subscribers to receive the special programs without interference or distortion by intruding or interfering signals which, at authorized or subscriber receiving points, 'will not be reproduced.

The present invention provides a large number of advantages and practical applications, among which are the following:

Patented May 24, 1955 A program of aural, radioprinter or other form of intelligence, such as television, addressed to subscribers within the service area of an FM broadcast station, may be superimposed at ultrasonic frequencies on the main carrier of the FM station without causing interference with the main program transmission of the station in the range, say, between 30 and 15,000 cycles, and Without requiring the addition of filter units in conventional broadcast receivers within the service area or" the transmitter.

One or more subcarriers in the inaudible frequency range above 15,000 cycles may be superimposed on the carrier wave of an FM broadcast station without mutual interference between the two types of signals.

Security of reception of subscription-radio programs ofV a given type free from intrusion by vocal announcements or other undesired signals may be attained at authorized subscriber receiving points and the reception of these programs of specific type rendered difficult or impossible by non-subscribers.

Selection of specific types of multiplexed subscriptionradio programs, such as background music, news sum#V maries, or business messages, may be attained at will at the subscription-radio receiver attuned to a single broadcasting station.

The invention is not limited to the transmission of aural, graphic, or other intelligence, but is equally applicable to any remote control function, such as the control of remotely located machines and devices. As one example, it may be mentioned that signals suitable to control and operate engraving, accounting and computing machines may be transmitted by multiplex process in accordance with the invention.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l shows, in combined block diagram and schematic circuit form, the means employed at the control transmitter of a radio broadcast station to ettect simultaneous transmission of a plurality of programs, and the means employed to eitect security of uninterrupted reception of subscription programs of specific type at subscriber receiving points, said subscription programs being devoid of vocal announcements.

Fig. 2 illustrates in blocl; diagram form an arrangement whereby three different types or sources of programs may be broadcast concurrently by an FM broadcast station on a common radio channel, with provision for a fourth source of program to be used alternately with one of the other sources.

Fig. 3 is a combined block diagram and schematic diagram showing an arrangement of circuits and control components in a subscription radio receiving device whereby security of uninterrupted reception of a specic type of program, such as music, is made possible only at authorized receiving points.

Fig. 4 is a similar to Fig. 3 except that additional means are shown whereby a second multiplex program of specific type may be selected at a subscription radio receiving point, with means for reproducing the signals received on the subscription radio subcarrier channel either by sound reproducing means or by graphic or `other signal reproducing means.

Fig. 5 shows in further detail the circuits and .components employed in an illustrative arrangement of subscription-radio receiver whereby security of uninterrupted reception of special musical programs addressed to subscription radio receiving points is attained including one form of subcarrier discriminator used with the system of the invention.

The diagram of Fig. l illustrates in block diagram and schematic form the means employed at the control station of the radio-relay network to effect simultaneous transmission of the .public aural broadcast program `and the subscription radio musical programs interspersed with recurrent news bulletins or other information together with security and decoy pulses.

The diagram of Fig. l specifically' sets forth a presently preferred arrangement whereby security control signals may be transmitted automatically as short pulses in proper sequence from the control station to attain security of uninterrupted reception of music or other selected subscription radio programs at subscribed receiving points only. The security control signaling means is inclusive of a decoy-pulse transmitter having as a purpose the confusion of unauthorized persons who may attempt to ascertain the exact characteristics of the security-control pulses. The decoy pulse also causes improper operation of unauthorized subcarrier receiving equipment whereby it will be diicult or impossible for these unauthorized subcarrier receivers to maintain uninterrupted reception of the selected type of program for any substantial length of time.

Referring in detail to Fig. l, aural program signals from a studio or other broadcast program source 100 and within the audio frequency range 'S0-15,000 cycles are applied through switching means 101 to preemphasis network thence through low-pass filter 31, effective with` in the audio frequency range up to 18,000 cycles without attenuation to a program limiting amplifier 115, of any suitable well-known type, which may be employed to automatically maintain the level of the program signals Within a predetermined operating ceiling. The aural program signals are then applied to a conventional mixer of any` well-known type, the purpose of which is to permit application of signals from dierent sources to a common amplifier input circuit without disturbing the impedance relationship of any of the circuits and to permit independent regulation of the signal levels in either of `the input channels as may be desired by an operator. The

aural program signals are then applied to the main carrier modulator 32, which causes frequency modulation of radio wave energy at the output of transmitter or power amplifier 33 which supplies radio frequency energy at carrier frequency F1 to the antenna 34, with ground connections shown at 117.

The subscription radio music program within an illustrative audio frequency range between 50 and 8,000 cycles is supplied by a transcription source or other sound source 119. Selector switch 120 when positioned with arm 121 in the up or music position effects application of the subscription radio musical program signals through upper contact 122 to the input of a pre-emphasis network 123, which serves to emphasize the higher audio frequencies for the purpose of attaining an improvement in signal-to-noise ratio at subscription radio receiving points, as will be described in further detail in subsequent paragraphs. The subscription radio program signals are then applied through low-pass lter 124 to the program limiting amplifier 125, which serves to maintain the upper limits of the subscription radio program level within a predetermined ceiling for operational reasons as will be described in further detail in subsequent paragraphs. The subscription radio program signals are then applied to the input of a 30-kilocycle subcarrier source and modulator 40.

In one preferred arrangement of the system of the invention, the modulator is a narrow-band FM type having a frequency swing of plus or minus 8 kilocycles or less with constant amplitude of the subcarrier being retained during the modulation process; the modulated Vsubcarrier varying in frequency between the range of approximately 22 and 38 kilocycles is applied to the input of band-pass filter 41 and thence is applied through mixer 116 to the main carrier modulator 32 of the broadcast transmitters power amplifier 33.

When selector switch 120 is in the down or newsannouncement position, voice signals which may emanate from a magnetic recorder-reproducer 130 of any suitable well-known type, are applied to the input of preemphasis network 123 and thereupon modulate the 30- kilocycle FM subcarrier. If recurrent transmission of news bulletins or other information is desired an endlessloop type of magnetic recorder-reproducer may be used. In this case, steel tape 131 is moved as an endless loop over the driving roller 133 and rollers 132, 134 and 135 by means of the electric motor 136 and driving belt 137. Pick-up head 140 is employed to convert recorded magnetic variations in the steel tape corresponding to the audio frequency variations of the impressed voice signal to variations in voltage, with subsequent amplification of the signal voltage by audio amplifier 141, the output of which is connected to lower contact 142 of switching means 120. Thus, a pre-recorded news bulletin containing a complete news digest is, by means of this equipment, automatically transmitted in repetitive manner as long as the selector switch 120 is in the news position.

Microphone 145 may be employed by an announcer in making a subsequent recording of later news bulletin. Speech amplifier 146 is employed in association with microphone 145 to amplify the voice signals to the required recording level when the voice signals are impressed on magnetic recording head 147. Alternatively, amplifier 146 may be connected directly to switch contact 142. Magnetic signal obliterating head 148 is utilized in association with the magnetic recorder in any conventional well-known manner to remove any previous recording.

Referring to program selector switch 120, it will be noted that arm 150 when in the music position applies a ground connection to upper contact 151, thereby com pleting the electrical circuit of which a frequency-determining capacitor 152 is a part; this circuit may be any conventional well-known audio frequency oscillating circuit 153 having a capacitor as one of the frequency-determining elements.

This oscillator which is of low frequency or audio frequency type has been termed a security control signal oscillator as its function is to supply a control signal of predetermined frequency for maintenance of security of uninterrupted reception of a selected type of program at subscription receiving points.

The security control signal of frequency fa, such as 85 cycles, for example, is thereafter applied through switch contacts 189 and 190, when closed as will bedescribed, to a subcarrier generator and modulator unit 154, operable at any of several designated frequencies within an illustrative frequency range extending between 30 and 70 kilocycles. Frequency control switch 155 when at position f1 establishes a carrier frequency of 30 kilocycles, for example, by insertion of capacitor 157. When the frequency control switch 155 is at position f4 capacitor 158 is inserted in the subcarrier generator circuit thereby establishing an upper subcarr'ier frequency of 70 kilocycles, for example.

The security control signal when at frequency fa causes either frequency modulation or amplitude modulation of the subcarrier, as desired, at a subcarrier frequency determined by the position of frequency-control switch 155.

It will be noted by referring to the illustration of program selector switch 120 that when arm 150 is in the news position, capacitor is connected with ground through lower contact 161. This shifts the frequency of the security control signal oscillator 153 to a predetermined control frequency fb, such as 87.5 cycles, or other frequency within a few cycles of the control frequency fa previously mentioned.

The lower control arm 155 of program selector switch 120 when in the music position engages upper Contact 166 and thereby applies operating voltage to relay solenoid 168 from voltage source 167. Application of the voltage to this solenoid 168 moves relay armature 169 upward, opening the electrical circuit of which relay Contact arm 170 is a part `and thereby causes (le-enerv gization of solenoid 172 in series connection between electric power source 167, vthe relay armature 169 and contact 170. De-energization of solenoid 172 causes the release of latch armature 173 which when released, engages stop 175 of the driven clutch-disc 174, as in any well-known friction clutch, thereby preventing rotation of the driven disc 174. In other words, when solenoid 172 is de-energized, the latch 173 drops down to block the movement of the driven disc 174 of the friction clutch, the driving disc of which is rotated by the driving shaft 176 of electric motor 178. Under these conditions, the pulsing cam 180 attached to the driven disc 174 by means of shaft 176A remains in the idle position shown in the diagram.

Similarly, when program selector switch 120 is in the news position and the lower contact arm 16S engages with lower Contact 182, the idle position of the pulsing cam, as shown in the diagram, is maintained for the reason that under these conditions voltage is applied to solenoid 168 and the armature 169 opens the circuit of which contact 17) is a part, thereby permitting latch armature 173 to remain in the down position, blocking the rotation of the driven disc 174 of the friction clutch.

At the completion of a musical selection intended for subscription radio listeners, program selector switch 120 is moved from the music position through the neutral position, as shown in the diagram of Fig. l, to the news position. In passing through the neutral position energizing voltage is removed momentarily from solenoid 168. This releases relay armature 169 thereby closing the electrical circuit of which relay contact 170 is a par-t, thereby momentarily supplying voltage to solenoid 172 which causes the latch armature 173 to move upward, releasing the block from driven disc 174 of the friction clutch. This transitional condition is shown in Fig. l. The raised point 185 on rotating pulsing cam 180 then moves the contact arms 189 and 186 of the pulsing .switch 187 upward to their respective contacts 190 and 188, causing the momentary application of the security signal from audio oscillator 153 to subcarrier modulator 154 and thence to the input of band-pass filter 191, which is effective in passing without attenuation the subcarrier frequency range between 3G and 70 kilocycles. The security subcarrier, as a pulse, having a duration of a small fraction of a second, is then applied to mixer 116 via momentarily closed contact set 186488, and thence to the main carrier modulator 32 of the FM broadcast transmitter 33.

It will be noted by referring to the arrangement of Fig. l that the momentary release of relay armature 169 occurs only during the very short interval during which the program selector switch 120 is moved between the music position and the newsl position. However, this transitional period is sufficient to effect the momentary release of armature 169 for a long enough time to allow latch 173 to permit rotation of the driven disc 174 of the friction clutch so that stop 175 clears the latch 173. Immediately thereafter relay armature 169 is pulled upward by application of power to relay solenoid 168 by the movement of switch 12) to the program position, opening the circuit of which contact 170 is a part and causing the downward movement of vlatch 173, with consequent blocking ofrrotation of driven disc 174 of the friction clutch after one revolution. ln effect, this arrangement permits a pre-timed transmission of a single control pulse of short duration irnmediately upon termination of a given type of a multi plexed subscription radio program. Expressed in auother way, this puise is automatically transmitted for a short period during the transitional period between one type of multiplexed subscription program and another.

`It will be noted, in addition, that the modulating frequency of the control pulse is at a predetermined frequency, such as fa, when the selector switch is in the music transmission position as the pulsing cam effects closure of switch 187, and at a second modulating frequency fb when switch 120 is in the news position.

To make as difficult as possible the determination and effective utilization of the security pulse control signal at unauthorized receiving points, a series of decoy pulses is automatically transmitted at random intervals at the subcarrier frequency employed for security control purposes. The decoy pulse is automatically transmitted at variable intervals as determined by the irregular rotation of' decoy pulse control cam 195. This cam is rotated at an irregular and unpredictable speed Varying from time to time by means of slippage on drive shaft 196 connecting with gear box 197 of any well-known type, which is driven by shaft 19S attached to motor 178. The raised member 200 of decoy pulse control when in contact with switch 203 causes the intermittent, momentary closure of Contact sets 201 and 202 of switching means 203. Closure of contacts 2M applies a decoy frequency fs, such as 80 cycles, from decoy pulse oscillator 2% to the input of subcarrier modulator 154 thereby modulating the subcarrier output. The decoy pulse oscillator may be an audio-frequency signal generator, similar in general electrical respect to the security control signal oscillator 153, and having an operating frequency within several cycles of the security control frequencies fa and fb or any other frequency as may be desired. Closure of contacts 281 momentarily shunts contacts 188 and 186 and causes the application of the subcarrier signal from modulator 154 to the input band-pass filter 191. in this instance it will be noted that the security subcarrier is modulated by the frequency of the decoy pulse oscillator 2%. The security subcarrier cannot be modulated by the correct control frequency, however, until pulsing cam 130 is actuated as determined by program switch 120.

The effective operation of the security means, as described above, is such that a security control pulse of predetermined frequency fa or fb is emitted automatically as modulating component of the security subcarrier of predetermined frequency fr, f2, f3, or f4. during the transition between types of subscription programs while the decoy pulse fd at a slightly different audio modulat ing frequency is automatically transmitted at random by the automatic pulsing equipment above described and designated as the decoy pulse transmitter. in each instance, the security and decoy signals are in the nature of audio frequencies of low order, such as 83, 85, and 87 cycles, modulating a subcarrier which may be predetermined in frequency between 30 and 70 kilocycles. However, the security and decoy signals may be of frequencies below audibility, such as 20, 25, and 30 cycles. The duration and characteristic of the security control signals may be other than shown in this illustrative application. For example, the control signals may be of varying duration or weight to effect selective operation of relays or receivers responsive to pulses of varying duration or weight.

In operating the transmitting system of Fig. l, the amplitudes of the different signals applied through the main carrier modulator 32 of transmitter 33, are adjusted so that the total modulation depth, and hence the frequency deviation, of the main carrier, produced concurrently by the different signals, is limited to a predetermined maximum value which is established by Government regulation and designated as 100% modulation (or frequency deviation) of the radio carrier wave emitted by a frequency-modulation broadcasting station.

In actual operating tests satisfactory results have been obtained with a modulation percentage of lit-20% (of the maximum value above mentioned) as applied to the main carrier when modulated by the combined sub- 75 carrier signals. The maximum modulation percentage of the main aural program signals, as applied to 'the main carrier, is usually in the range from 80% to 90% (of the mentioned maximum value) depending upon the degree of modulation effected by the subcarrier signals.

inasmuch as any over-modulation of the main carrier is apt to cause splatter or other distortion at receiving points, the program limiting amplifiers 115 and 125 are useful in establishing pre-determined ceilings for the minimum signal levels in each channel leading to transmitter 33. Thus, the manual controls of program limiting amplifier 125 are set to limit the modulation percentage caused by the subcarrier signals to a maximum of The upper level of these signals will automatically be established and the operator at the transmitter need only attend to the main program channel, with its program limiting amplifier 115, adjustable in the manner of amplifier 125 serving as an aid in establishing upper modulating levels in this channel.

Referring to Fig. 2, which is quite similar in many respects to the arrangement of Fig. l, public program source 10i) supplies aural program signals in the range 3045,00() cycles through pre-emphasis network 3) to low-pass filter 31, thence to the program limiting amplifier 115 and mixer 116. From the mixer, the aural program signals are applied t'o the main carrier modulator 32 and the transmitter power amplifier 33 which supplies radio wave energy to omni-directional antenna 34 at frequency F-1.

A business message signal such as news bulletins, specialized information or radio-printer signals are applied from business message source 250 through lowpass filter 251 to limiting amplifier 252 and thence to a subcarrier source and modulator unit 253, operating at a mean subcarrier frequency of 5S kilocycles, for example. The modulated subcarrier is then applied through band-pass filter 254, effective to pass subcarrier energy in the band between 45-65 kilocycles to mixer 116 and thence to the FM broadcast transmitter including main carrier modulator 32 and power amplifier 33.

The subscription radio music source 119, identical to the source 119, Fig. l, is employed as a source of audio signal energy in a second subcarrier channel. The audio frequency signals from subscription radio source 119 are passed through program selector switch 120 in the manner described in detail in connection with Fig. l and, when the selector switch 120 is in the music position, the subscription music signals are applied to preemphasis network 123, thence through low-pass filter 124, and program limiting amplifier 125 to subcarrier modulator unit 40. The modulated subcarrier signals, with center frequency of 30 kilocycles, for example, are then applied through band-pass filter 41, effective to pass carrier energy in the band -40 kilocycles without attenuation, to the mixer 116 and thence through the main carrier modulator 32 and power amplifier 33 to the antenna 34 as modulating components of the radio wave.

As has been described in connection with Fig. l, the program selector switch 120 when in the "announcements position applies voice signals from an announcement source 130.

Arms 150 and 165 of selector switch 120 are utilized in connection with the transmission of the security `signals as has been described in preceding paragraphs.r In this instance, the security control signal oscillator 153 is identical with that shown in Fig. l, as are capacitors 152 and 160, respectively. The subcarrier source and modulator unit 154 is also identical with that of Fig. l. The pulsing unit 188A and band-pass filter v191 are similar to those shown in detail in Fig. 1 and serveto apply the pulse signals within the range, 3 0 to 70` kilocycles to mixer 116. For purpose ofsimplicity the deand 526 are a part.

coy pulse arrangement has been omitted in this illustration, but it may be included as before.

By means of the system shown in Fig. 2 a total of three intelligence-bearing channels are employed in association with broadcast transmitter 33 and all channels may beactivated simultaneously, each carrying its respective type of program, without interference between the channels and without causing interference with the reception of the main aural program of the transmitter in conventional FM broadcast receivers, provided the sum of the depths of modulation of the main carrier with its main program signals and with the various subcarriers is maintained within the maximum, as previously described.

Referring to Fig. 3, an illustrative arrangement of receiver circuit means at subscription radio receiving points is shown.

An FM broadcast receiver 500 is employed to receive the broadcast signals from the station, providing the subscription radio service in the area in which the receiver is located. The main aural program signals in the audio output 501 are applied to switching means 502 and thence to audio amplifier 503 and loud speaker 505 when the arm 504 of switching means 502 is in the position marked public broadcast, for reproducing the main aural program.

The subscription radio program signals are derived from connection with the FM discriminator of broadcast receiver 500, as will be described in detail in subsequent paragraphs, and are applied through amplifier 510 to high-pass filter 511 which rejects the aural program signals below 20 kilocycles and passes only the subcarrier frequency above 2O kilocycles. The subcarrier signals are applied to amplifier or cathode follower 512 and the modulating components of the subcarrier are derived by the action of subcarrier discriminator or detector 513. The derived audio frequency signals are then passed-through low-pass filter 514, which removes the subcarrier frequency and passes without attenuation the audio frequency signals within the audio frequency range up to 8 kilocycles, employed as the upper frequency in this instance. The output of low-pass filter 514 is applied to the news and music contact 515 of switci ing means502. When the arm 504 of switching means 502 is in position at contact 515, the subcarrier program signals, consisting of music and news or other announcements are applied to the input of audio amplifier 503 and are reproduced by loud speaker 505.

The means employed in this illustrativeV application of the system of the invention to effect selective reception of subscription musical programs and to give uninterrupted aural reproduction of music, without voice announcements, is explained as follows:l

. The subcarrier signals at the output of high-pass filter 511 are passed through amplifier 520 to subcarrier detecting circuit identified as a security carrier tuner 521. This security carrier tuner is tuned to a predetermined security control carrier frequency as supplied by a subcarrier source 154, Fig, 1, at the broadcasting station.

Provision is shown in this illustrative diagram, Fig. 3, for tuning of the security carrier receiving means to any of four pre-selected subcarrier frequencies by the switching means of which arm 522 and contacts 523, 524, 525

When the switch arm 522 is in position at contact 523 for example, tuning condenser 527 is in the tuning circuit of any well known tuning arrangement in which a capacitor may be used to determine the resonant frequency, and similar condensers` such as 528 and 529 are connected in the tuning circuit when the switch is in position at contacts 524 and 525 respectively.

By this means the security carrier tuner may be pretuned to respond to a designated security pulse at a given subcarrier frequency in the range between 30 and 70 kilocycles. Unless the switching arm 522 is at the correct position at a given time, the effective reception of the security subcarrier pulse will not be possible.

The received security su'ocnrrier is amplified by amplifier 530 and the modulating components ot the security subcarrier are derived by action of the subcarrier discriminator or detector 531;. T he audio frequency output of the subcarrier discriminator 531 is applied to the driving coils 5.32 and 533 of two tuned-reed relays 534 and 535 respectively.

Referring to Fig. 1, as has been described in preceding paragraphs when the program selector switch 12) is in the music position the security control signal of irequency fs is generated by the security control oscillator 153 so that when the raised point 185 of the pulsing cam li) closes contact arms i813 and 186, and arms 189 and 190 the security suhcarrier modulator unit 154 will be modulated by this specific control frequency, such as 87 cycles.

Referring to Fig. 3 when this specific modulating frequency fa is applied as a pulse to tuned reed relay 53d, the tuned reed 565 is excited in response to this specific control frequency only and the electric circuit, or" which reed 565 and Contact 555 are parts, is closed, thereby applying electric power from source 53'/ to the lock-in solenoid 538 of the locking-relay S39.

The armature 54d of this relay is pulled toward the lock-in solenoid 538 and loch-in latch 54E thereafter holds the armature in the closed position as shown. Contact arm 542 of locking relay 539 then engages contact 543 and closes the audio frequency circuit between the output of low-pass filter 511i and contact of switching means 5M. Thus, when the switch arm 591i is in position at Contact S45, identified as subscription radio music position, the received subscription radio musical program is applied to audio amplifier il and is reproduced by loud speaker 505 as long as the armature Sdi) of the locking relay 539 is in the lock-in position shown in Fig. 3.

At the end of transmission of the subscription program, the selector switch 121B Fig. l is thrown to the announcing position and the security control signal of frequency fb is caused to modulate the subcarrier pulse emitted by subcarrier modulator unit Upon movement of selector switch 12u from the music position to the announcing position, the pulsing cam 180 is caused to rotate as has een previously described and the security subcarrier modulated by control frequency fb, such as 85 cylecs, is transmitted by the broadcast station.

At the receiver, Sud, Fig. 3, as has previously been described in the above paragraphs, the security subcarrier is demodulated by subcarrier discriminator 531 and the modulating component, the security control signal of frequency fr, causes the energization of tuned reed 567 when the exciting voltage is applied to coils 5533 of tuned reed relay 535.

The agitation of the tuned reed 567 etects closure of the electrical circuit in which the reed 567 and contact 556 are parts. This causes electric power from source 537 to be applied momentarily to the locloout solenoid 5623` of locking relay 539. The latch S41 is thereupon pulled toward solenoid 568, releasing armature 540 of the lockin section ol relay 539, and thereby causing movement of contact armature of 542 to contact S60, connected to ground. The grounding of armature 542 causing the muting of the audio amplier circuit of which amplifier 503 is a part and therefore no sound is heard from loud speaker 505 as long as voice announcements are being transmitted on the subscription program subcarrier. In this manner, only subscription radio music will be heard from loud speaker S05' at authorized receiving points when switch arm 5M is in the subscription radio music position at contact S45 of switching means 502.

In the event that an attempt is made to mute the audio system of unauthorized receivers, it will first be necessary to ascertain the frequency of the security control carrier at any given period, then determine the precise modulating frequencies fa and fb of the security control signals, and finally, effect separation between these control sig nals of frequencies fs and fb and the decoy signals within several cycles of the control frequencies.

Ordinary tuned relays in unauthorized receivers will tend to be activated at random intervals through the automatic transmission of the decoy pulse transmitter 210 of Fig. l. Thus, unless the frequency of the security subcarrier is known in advance and unless the exact control frequencies fa and fb also are known in advance, together with all details of operation, it is anticipated that unauthorized receivers would not operate satisfactorily in rendering the subscription service.

l't is anticipated, in this connection, that transmitted coding frequency combinations of the security control signal oscillator 153, including capacitors 152 and loi) (Fig. l), will be changed from time to time by the subscription radio service and that the tuned reed relays at the receiver will be changed accordingly to provide added protection against unauthorized reception ot` the subscription radio music without interruption of the announcements. To aid in this direction, the tuned-reed relays 534 and 535 may ce of plug-in type so that relays of dir ferent frequency response may be readily substituted.

The general functioning of the security system of the invention is in general analogous to the cooperating action of' a lock and its key. The security subcarrier of specific frequency corresponds to 'the matched longitudinal elements of the loclr and key; the specific control frequencies fe and fb correspond to the varying notches in the prolile of the key which must actuate certain tumhlers ot the lock in predetermined combination before the loclt can be opened.

Referring to Fig. 1l, au illustrative arrangement as shown whereby the subscription radio listener is enabled to have a selection of two different types of subcarrier programs utilizing an FM broadcast receiver tuned to the local FM broadcast station that provides the subscription radio service in addition to its public broad` cast programs.

in this instance, the audio output 561 of FM broadcast receiver 5th) is connected to program selector switch 502, at the contact marked Broadcast" as described in connection with Fig. 3. The arm 594 of program selector switch SilZ is connected to the input of the audio amplifier 503 Whose output is connected to loud speaker 505, as has been described in Fig. 3. The subcarrier signals are derived from the discriminator of the FM receiver 50i), as will be described in further detail in subsequent paragraphs, and are applied to amplifier 510 and high-pass lter 511.

The subcarrier at a frequency above 20 kilocycles, flows through the high-pass filter Sil to amplifier 5M and thence to the subcarrier discriminator or detector 513. The audio frequency output of the su'ocarrier discriminator or detector 513 hows through the low-pass filter 514 to the contact arm 542 of locking relay 539, as has been previously described in connection with Fig. 3. When contact arm 542 is in the lock-in position, as shown in the drawing, the audio frequency signals from low-pass filter 514 are applied to the contact 545 of switching means 502, marked subscription radio music, as has been described in the above paragraphs, permitting only musical selections to be heard.

It will be noted in the arrangement ot Fig. 4 that the output circuit of high-pass iilter ll is also connected to an amplifier 690, the output of which is connected to a subcarrier discriminator or detector 561 operable at a mean carrier frequency of 55 kilocycles, for example.

The function of the subcarrier discriminator dill is to demodulate the second program subcarrier emitted by a broadcasting station providing the subscription radio service. The audio frequency output of the discriminator is applied through low-pass filter 6012 to switch arm 604 and contact 603, thence to Contact 515 of program selector switch 502 marked neu/s." The arm 604 may be moved to contact 605 to apply radio printer signals to any well-known form of radio printing device 606, in the event that the second subcarrier is employed to convey printer control signals from time to time. The radio printer may take the form of a Teletype machine, ticker-tape unit or other graphic recording device.

As has been previously described in connection with Fig, l, the subscription radio broadcast station may have as a second subcarrier program transmission a continuously-available news summary of recurrent type. It will be seen, therefore, that if the business message source 250, Fig. 2, is employed to provide recurrent news program at a subcarrier frequency of 55 kilocycles the listener at the subscription radio receiver will always hear a news summary when the arm 504 of program selector switch 502 is on contact 515 marked news In the diagram of Figure 4, it will be noted that the general arrangement for attaining the security of uninterrupted reception of music is similar to that or Figure 3, except for slight variations in the connections to relay 539. The block 610 marked Security Unit is identical to the block 6i@ of Figure 3, and comprises the elements shown therein.

Referring to Fig. 5, the detail of circuit connections of subcarrier receiving equipment and conventional FM broadcast receiving equipment is illustrated in one form. FM broadcast receiver 500, of any well-known type having an antenna 65@ and ground connection 652 utilizes a standard balanced FM discriminator in which vacuum tube 653 is employed. The radio frequency input is applied in well-known manner to the anodes 654 and 655 of the tube 653. The discrimina'tor output circuit includes resistors 656 and 657 in well known balanced circuit connection. Tuning meter 667 and associated resistor 668 are utilized in well-known manner as shown to indicate when the receiver is properly tuned to the carrier frequency. Capacitor 66? is a conventional R.F. by-pass condenser. The audio frequency output of the discriminator is applied to a standard 75-rnicrosecond de-emphasis network consisting of resistor 666 and capacitor 661 after which the tie-emphasized audio signals are passed through coupling capacitor 662 and volume control potentiometer 66.3 to the input of audio amplier 664. The audio frequency output of amplifier 664 is applied to the contact marked public broadcast on switching means 502, the arm 594 being connected to the input of audio amplifier 503 which supplies audio driving power to loud speaker 505.

The subcarrier receiver 670 is connected to the output of discriminator tube 653 at terminal 671, as illustrated. The connection 672 between the FM receiver and the subcarrier receiver 670 may be of shielded type in which the shield 673 is connected to ground 674 as shown. The inner conductor 672 is connected to capacitor 675 of the subcarrier receiver thereby permitting the application of subcarrier signals to the control grid 676 of cathode follower tube 51). The cathode follower output of tube Siti is conventional and comprises capacitor 678, resistor 679 and load resistor 681. Cathode series resistor 630 is connected to ground as shown.

The signal energy appearing across load resistor 681 is applied to the input of high-pass filter Sli of any suitable well-known type. Proper loading of the highpass filter is eected by resistor 683 as shown. Subcarrier signal energy above 2O kilocycles after passage through the filter S'ltli is applied to the control grid 690 of amplifier tube 512 in conventional manner. The plate circuit output 692 of tube 512 is connected through coupling capacitor 693 to the control grid 694 of cathode follower tube 695. The cathode follower output circuit comprising capacitor 697, resistor 698 and load resistor 699 is then connected to the input of subcarrier discriminator lilter 700. Subcarrier discriminator lilter 700 may be of any suitable well-known type providing a frequency response whose slope characteristic in the cut-olf region is substantially linear over the subcarrier range occupied by the subcarrier program signal during modulation. ln this instance, where a subcarrier having a center frequency of 30 kilocycles is employed the discriminator response should be linear in the general range between the frequencies of about 2O and 40 kilocycles, assuming that an FM subcarrier is used, swinging within approximate limits of plus or minus 8 kilocycles with respect to the center frequency of 30 kilocycles.

The attenuating characteristics of high-pass filter 511 and discriminator filter '700 combine to provide great attenuation of the main aural program signals below l5 kilocycles.

The rectifier 701 in the output circuit of discriminator 700, Fig. 5, may be of well-known crystal-diode type or of Vacuum tube type. The rectiiied signal voltage is then applied through series resistor 702 and load resistor 703 to the input of a low-pass filter 705 of any suitable wellknown type, this low-pass filter being designed to pass without attenuation audio frequency signals below l0 kilocycles and to reject the subcarrier frequency in the range above 20 kilocycles.

The design of the low-pass filter 705 may be such as to provide a desired degree of cle-emphasis to the rectitled subcarrier program signal. it will be noted in this connection by reference to Fig. l that a pre-emphasis unit 123 is shown in the output circuit of the subscription music source 19. This pre-emphasis network in welll known manner emphasizes the higher audio frequencies of the subscription music channel. At the subscription subcarrier receiver 670, Fig. 5, these higher audio frequencies are attenuated by the cle-emphasis characteristic of low-pass filter 705.

It is understood that in lieu of this particular arrangement for de-ernphasis, a standard 75-microsecond deemphasis network or other suitable network may be used. The output of low-pass filter 705 is applied to the contact 543 of locking relay 539, as has been described previously in connection with Fig. 3. The contact armature 542 of locking relay 539 is connected to Contact 545 of selector switch 562 thereby causing the application of subcarier program signals to audio amplifier 503 of FM broadcast receiver 5930 when the switch arm 504 is in the subscription radio position.

The security subcarrier tuner 52l comprises coil 75u tuning capacitors such as 527, 528 and selector switch 522, all of which form a part of the subcarrier tuner 52i as illustrated. Subcarrier energy above 20 kilocycles is applied to the input of the subcarier tuner 521 through connections of conductor 751 at the output terminal 752 of cathode follower tube 695. When the security subcarrier tuner 521 is properly tuned to the security subcarrier frequency effective signal voltage is applied to theV input of amplifier 530 and thence to the subcarrier discriminator 531 as has been described in connection with Fig. 3. The subcarrier discriminator 531 may be similar in general respects to the discriminator filter 700 and includes a rectifier such as 701 and series and load resistors such as 702 and 703 but is effective over the range 30-70 kilocycles. Discriminator 531 then applies audio frequency security pulses to the tuned reed relays 534 and 535 as illustrated in detail in Fig. 3. These tuned reed relays are connected to the locking relay 539 as also is illustrated in detail in the diagram of Fig. 3.

It will be noted that the security subcarrier tuner has its output circuit connection 755 at a point of low relative impedance, in the secondary coil of tuning transformer 750 while the tuning capacitors 527 and 528 are connected across the total secondary winding through the switch 522. Such an arrangement provides a tuning circuit having an extremely sharp tuning characteristic thereby providing an added degree of protection against reception of unwanted 'subcarrier signals by the security subcarrier tuner.

While, from the foregoing description of the illustrative arrangement of units employed in the multiplex system of the invention a particular arrangement of circuits has been shown, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the arrangement of parts as depicted or to the particular choice of subcarrier frequencies as has been described or to the use of a frequency-modulation subcarrier.

It is to be understood that single side band subcarriers may be used in lieu of a single frequency-modulation subcarrier, and various types of subcarriers, detectors and security control devices may be utilized in lieu of the illustrated forms of equipment.

The phrase security of reception of subscription radio programs of a given type implies that radio programs intended for reception by subscribers or other authorized receiving points will, through the security control means, be heard at these authorized points only without intrusion of vocal announcements or signals of undesired type.

While the illustrative arrangement of the system of the invention refers to audio signals from a public program source, such as block 100, Fig. l, it is to be understood that signals of any suitable type from a primary signal source corresponding to public program source 100 may be utilized in directly modulating the main radio carrier or primary carrier. Likewise it is to be understood that signals of any suitable type from a secondary source or plurality of secondary sources such as subscription radio music source block 119, Fig. 2, may be utilized in modulating the subcarrier from its associated subcarrier, or secondary carrier source or sources, such as shown in block 40.

The device identified as radio printer, block 606, Fig. 4, may be any device responsive to control by signal energy or control voltage received from a remote point. Such device 6% may be any suitable form of engraving machine, whereby a plate employed in printing newscopy is engraved by means of signals from a remote point, or such device may be a business machine or combination of business machines of various types such as accounting and computing machines responsive to control signals from a remote point. Further, such device 606 may be any suitable means utilized for telemetering, teleselector and remote control functions.

While a preferred embodiment with certain modifications of the invention is shown herein, it is to be understood that variations, modifications and changes may be made within the spirit of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A radio broadcast transmitter in a radio broadcasting system including a radio receiver responsive to said transmitter, said transmitter having a main radio carrier and means for frequency-modulating said carrier by first aural program signals within the audio-frequency range, said modulating means including means for frequencymodulating said main radio carrier concurrently by a first subcarrier of frequency above the limits of audibility, a source of second aural program signals comprising timespaced selections suitable for reproduction at only certain receiving points and means for modulating said subcarrier thereby, a source of third audio signals unsuitable for reception at said certain points and means for modulating said rst subcarrier thereby in the intervals between said selections, a second subcarrier of pulse characteristic and means for modulating said main radio carrier thereby during intervals only between said selections, said second subcarrier having a frequency different from that of said first subcarrier a first control signal source of a first predetermined frequency, a second control signal source of a second predetermined frequency, and means for modulating IlO said second subcarrier alternatively by said control signals, a source of decoy signals having characteristics similar to those of said first control signals and differing therefrom only slightly in frequency, and means for modulating said second subcarrier at random. intervals by said decoy signals.

2. A radio broadcasting system according to claim l, which includes means in each subcarrier channel establishing the modulation depth of the main carrier by said subcarriers together to provide a substantially constant frequency deviation of the main carrier within a first percentage value of a certain maximum frequency devia-tion considered as modulation, and additional means establishing the modulation depth of the main carrier by said rst aural program signals to provide a frequency deviation of the main carrier thereby within a second percentage value no greater than the difference between said first value and 100%, said first value bein-g substantially Vless ythan said second value.

3. A radio broadcasting system comprising a frequencymodulation radio broadcast transmitter having means for modulating its main radio carrier wave by first aural program signals within the audio-frequency range, means for concurrently -moduating said carrier wave by a first and a second subcarrier, each of different frequency above audibility, means for modulating said first subcarrier by second aural program signals comprising selections suitable for reproduction at only certain receiving points, means for moduating said rst subcarrier by intrusion signals unsuitable for reproduction at subscriber points, means for moduating said second subcarrier by security control signals, and means at said certain receiver points for receiving all of said signals, including signal-reproducing means and selective means actuated by said security control signals for securing reproduction of said selections with non-reproduction of said intrusion signals.

4, In a frequency-modulated radio broadcast transmitter in a radio broadcasting System including a radio receiver responsive to said transmitter, said transmitter being adapted for use in a system for attaining security of radio reception of multiplexed programs of a first type free from intrusion by undesired signals of a second type, said transmitter having means for generating a main carrier, means for moduating said carrier, means for irnpressing on the main carrier a first subcarrier of frequency above the limit of audibility, means for alternately modulating said first subcarrier with audio program signals from a first source and subsequently with audio signals from a second source, means for impressing on said main carrier a second subcarrier differing in frequency from said first subcarrier and above the limit of audibility, said second subcarrier being of pulse characteristic, and means for alternately modulating said second subcarrier with one or the other of two control signals differing in frequency, in simultaneous time relation with said alternate .modulation of said first subcarrier by said audio signals from said first and second sources.

5. A radio receiver responsive to a main frequencymodulation broadcast carrier of given frequency and having a frequency-modulation carrier demodulator, a highpass filter coupled to the output of said frequency-modulation demodulator, first subcarrier demodulating means coupled to the output of said filter, means for selectively reproducing audio signals derived from said frequencymodulation carrier demodulator or said subcarrier demodulator, second subcarrier responsive means coupled to the output of said filter, locking relay means coupled to the output of said second subcarrier responsive means selectively responsive to a plurality of received security control signals of different frequencies, said relay means having two positions and including means actuated in response to one of said control signals to lock said relay means, and actuated in response to the other of said control signals to unlock said relay means, and circuit connections between said relay means and said first subcarrier demodulating means and between said relay and the reproducing means such that in one position said relay means serves to render said reproducing means operative to reproduce audio signals from said irst'subcarrier demodulator or from said frequency-modulation carrier demodulator and in the other position to render said reproducing means inoperative.

6. In a radio broadcasting system, the combination with a radio broadcast transmitter according to claim 1 of means for receiving all of said signals at at least one of said certain points including muting means responsive to said iirst control signals and unresponsive to said decoy signals to render said third audio signals inaudible during said intervals between said selections, said muting means being also responsive to said second control signals to render audible said second aural program signals.

7. In a radio broadcasting system, the combination with a radio broadcast transmitter according to claim 4 of means responsive to a first of said control signals for automatically selecting for reproduction said audio program signals only in the interval following reception of said first control signal and responsive to the second of said control signals to eiect non-reproduction of said audio signals from said second source in the interval following reception of said second control signal.

8. A radio receiver responsive to a main frequencymodulation broadcast carrier of given frequency and having a frequency-modulaion carrier demodulator, a highpass iilter coupled to the output of said frequency-modulation demodulator, first subcarrier demodulating means coupled to the output of said filter, means for selectively reproducing audio signals derived from said subcarrier demodulator, second subcarrier responsive means coupled to the output of said filter, locking relay means coupled to the output of said second subcarrier responsive means selectively responsive to a plurality of received security control signals of diierent frequencies, said relay means having two positions and including means actuated in response to one of said control signals to lock said relay means, and actuated in response to the other of said control signals to unlock said relay means, and circuit connections between said relay means and said Iirst subcarrier demodulating means and between said relay means and the reproducing means such that in one position said relay means serves to render said reproducing means operative to reproduce audio signals from said iirst subcarrier demodulator and in the other position to render said reproducing means inoperative.

9. A radio receiver responsive to a main frequencymodulation broadcast carrier, said carrier being frequency-modulated with first and second subcarriers each of different frequency above audibility, said first subor. n.1

carrier being modulated with subscriber program signals comprising time-spaced audio selections suitable for reproduction at subscriber receiver points and also modulated during the periods between said selections with intrusion signals unsuitable for reproduction at said points, said second subcarrier comprising first and second security control signals of dierent frequencies, said receeiver having demodulator means adapted to demodulate said broadcast carrier, a high-pass filter coupled to the output ot said demodulator, iirst and second subcarrier wave-responsive means coupled to the output of said filter, said first wave-responsive means having coupled thereto an audio output circuit in which appear both said suitable and unsuitable signals, said second waveresponsive means being responsive to said irst and second security control signals, and selective control means connected to said first and second wave-responsive means, said control means including a signal controlling circuit and being operable in response to one of said security control signals to render said unsuitable signals ineffective in said audio output circuit and alternatively operable in response to the other of said security control signals to render said suitable signals effective in said audio output circuit.

l0. In a radio receiver, the combination with a radio receiver according to claim 9, said second subcarrier also comprising decoy signals transmitted at random intervals having characteristics similar to those of said first and second security control signals, said selective control means including means unresponsive to said decoy signals.

ll. ln a radio receiver, the combination with a radio receiver according to` claim 9, said second subcarrier comprising iirst and second security control signals of pulse characteristics, said selective control means including meeansresponsive to said pulse signals.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Varian July 19, 1949 

